Demonological need

[Alexey I. Fuchs]

> Can anyone suggest a comprehensive and reliable text on Slavic
> demonology? With types and classes of demons and creatures clearly
> outlined.

I cannot remember the URL, but I have seen Ukrainian demonology nicely
arranged on the web. I accessed it through the "rivendel.com," a
collection of links to online dictionaries. However, it may not exist
anymore.

> Also: does anyone know of any possible connection between Rusalki/Mavki
> and Vampires.

Should there be any connection? I would group mavki and rusalki together,
probably - for they are both attractive women-like creatures, drawing
young men to sea/forest and into misterious perdition (curiously enough,
I have never heard death mentioned in this context, though it is strongly
implied - "zaschekochut do ikoty i na dno uvolokut," for instance :)).
They are though different - mavki and rusalki, for mavki are slim and
handsome and some sources state that they are "open from the rare," from
the back, so that all there inner parts are seen. Thus, physically, they
resemble rusalki only being somehow maimed. But I'd never compare both to
vampires.
By the way, has anybody heard of the Chugayster, fulfilling the horrible
function of mavki's death? I read about this "man of the woods," tearing
mavki in two and baking them on shepherds' fire, a man, whose image is
terrible, but he never does any wrong to real people.

                                                        Alexey